Cupp won't see Ohio high court vacancy

COLUMBUS -- Outgoing Ohio Supreme Court Justice Robert Cupp will not throw his name into the hat among potential appointees for a soon-to-be-vacant seat on the state's high court.

Cupp, who lost his bid for reelection this month to Democrat Bill O'Neill, said in a released statement Friday that he would not seek retiring Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton's seat. Gov. John Kasich is expected to name a replacement for the latter, who intends to leave the bench before year's end.

Cupp was one of two seated justices who fell to challengers in this month's general election. Democrat Yvette McGee Brown, appointed by former Gov. Ted Strickland in his final days in office, lost to common pleas Judge Sharon Kennedy.

Stratton, who has served on the high court since 1996, announced her retirement earlier this year. Cupp said Friday that he has been encouraged to apply for the seat, but he made it clear that he would not pursue that course.

"At the appropriate time, other opportunities to use my experience gained in over 30 years of legislative, executive, and judicial service will be explored," he said.

Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.